HFW has made a double partner hire in its London and Hong Kong offices across its tech disputes and yacht and corporate jet practices.
The incoming partners are disputes lawyer Jennifer Wu, who joins from Pinsent Masons in Hong Kong, and luxury asset transactions specialist Toby Joy, who joins from Withers in London.
Wu previously led Pinsent Masons’ tech, media and telecommunications practice in the Asia Pacific region, bringing expertise in commercial disputes, international arbitration, regulatory investigations and data protection and cybersecurity matters.
Peter Murphy, HFW’s Hong Kong office head, said: “[Wu’s] track record advising on complex technology disputes, cyber incidents and regulatory matters will be invaluable to our clients both in the Greater Bay Area and across Asia Pacific.
“Her appointment reflects our continued investment in Hong Kong and our focus on expanding our capabilities in areas of increasing strategic importance to clients. She will play an important role in the continued growth of our disputes practice across Greater China and the wider region.”
She joins after just under a decade at Pinsent Masons, having made partner in 2023. Prior to joining the firm she was a disputes counsel at Cathay Pacific Airways.
She said: “HFW’s reputation for handling high-value, multifaceted disputes, combined with its deep sector focus, diverse practice areas, collaborative culture and growing presence across Asia, made it a very attractive proposition for me.”
Joy, meanwhile, brings experience advising ultra-high net worth individuals, family offices, trustees, lenders and operators on luxury asset transactions, chiefly on the acquisition, finance and structuring of yachts and private jets.
Paul Dean, global head of shipping at HFW, said: “Toby’s experience advising on complex, high-value asset transactions complements our existing offering and strengthens our ability to support clients across the full spectrum of their interests. He brings energy and drive, a collaborative, client-focused approach and – as a private pilot and enthusiastic sailor – a genuine passion for the aviation and yachts sectors, all of which makes him a natural fit at HFW.”
He arrives after 14 years at Withers, joining as a trainee in 2012 and becoming a senior associate in 2019.
He said: “The firm’s first-rate reputation in yachts, private jets and related sectors; its international reach – including in key luxury asset markets, such as the Middle East, Geneva and Monaco; and its collaborative culture provide an excellent platform for me to achieve my ambition of becoming one of the world’s leading private aviation and yacht lawyers.”
Back in May, Giles Kavanagh won a second term as HFW’s senior partner having overseen growth of more than 20% since taking over as senior partner from Richard Crump in 2022.
HFW’s revenue grew a more modest 2% in the last financial year ending 31 March, hitting £276.2m.
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